Chapter 26: The Educated Youth Teacher

"Coming, coming." Fu Xiaoxiao finished the porridge that had already cooled, grabbed her things, and hurried off with the two children.

"This way! Hurry, hurry!" Lu Lin and Lu Chen trotted ahead to lead the way. Fu Xiaoxiao couldn't help but chuckle as she picked up her belongings and jogged after them.

"Sister-in-law, where are you two headed?" Wang Lu happened to be coming by to drop off some items for Fu Xiaoxiao. Seeing them rushing away, he quickly chased after them to ask.

"Xiao Lu, I’m planning to send Xiao Lin to school; we’re going to register today," Fu Xiaoxiao stopped to explain. "Is something wrong? Did you need me for something?"

"Sister-in-law, stop running. Let me drive you! Besides, I actually have something to tell you." Wang Lu thought for a moment, ran toward the military vehicle parked nearby, and beckoned to her.

"Then we should hurry and thank Brother Wang Lu." Fu Xiaoxiao looked at Lu Lin and Lu Chen, who both smiled at Wang Lu. "Thank you, Brother Wang Lu."

"Don't mention it," Wang Lu said with a hearty laugh.

Once Fu Xiaoxiao and the boys were in the vehicle, Wang Lu stepped on the gas and drove out of the military compound. As they traveled, Fu Xiaoxiao looked at the familiar road, and a sudden thought crossed her mind.

"Xiao Lu, is this the village where Auntie Li lives?" The road looked increasingly familiar, and sure enough, Wang Lu made a right turn into the village.

"That's right, Sister-in-law." Wang Lu nodded, pointing ahead. "Look, that’s Auntie Li’s house, and just a bit further is the village school."

The military vehicle entered the village. It was the autumn harvest season, and the villagers were all busy working in the fields. Seeing the military vehicle enter, they assumed something had happened and paused their work.

"What’s going on? Another military vehicle?"
"We don't even get one a year, and now we’ve had two this month."
"Could it be that someone in the village is in trouble again?"
"It must be to see the Li family, right?"
"That’s very likely."

The villagers watched as the vehicle drove past Auntie Li’s house, expecting it to stop, but it kept going deeper into the village. "Where are they going? Further down... is that the school?" The villagers watched intently.

The village chief, standing on the edge of a ridge, was also observing the vehicle. Seeing everyone stop their work, he said in a low voice, "What are you looking at? Is it any of your business? Have you finished your work? You have nothing better to do?"

Hearing the chief’s voice, the villagers quickly lowered their heads and resumed their work. The chief watched as the vehicle stopped at the school gate and Fu Xiaoxiao got out with the two boys. He breathed a sigh of relief—it was just for registration, so it was nothing serious.

"Registering now? The registration period has long since passed! Zhao Qing, my class is full; if you want to take them, you do it!" In the office, one of the two young women glanced at Fu Xiaoxiao and said discontentedly.

"Hello, it’s still possible to register! Come over here and fill out the forms," the other woman said, smiling gently and beckoning to Fu Xiaoxiao.

Fu Xiaoxiao looked at her, took Lu Lin and Lu Chen by the hand, and walked over.

"Hello, I’m Zhao Qing, and that is Xu Linlin. We are both educated youths sent to the village, responsible for teaching the children. It’s a pleasure to meet you." Zhao Qing looked at the three of them, her gaze sweeping over Lu Lin and Lu Chen with a smile.

"Hello, Comrade Zhao Qing. I’m Fu Xiaoxiao, and these are my two children, Lu Lin and Lu Chen." Fu Xiaoxiao gently patted the boys on the shoulders.

"Hello, Teacher Zhao." The two boys had already been coached by Fu Xiaoxiao to be polite to their teacher.

"Which child is enrolling? Have they learned anything before?" Zhao Qing asked with a light laugh.

"It’s Lu Lin. He has learned a little bit before." Fu Xiaoxiao gave Lu Lin a gentle nudge.

"The tuition is two yuan per semester. We don’t have a cafeteria, so you’ll need to prepare his lunch. Is that alright? If so, please sign here," Zhao Qing said with a smile.

"That’s fine." Fu Xiaoxiao paid the two yuan and successfully registered Lu Lin. Zhao Qing caught a glimpse of Fu Xiaoxiao’s elegant handwriting and was secretly surprised.

"Ring..." The bell for class rang.

"Class is starting soon. Lu Lin, wait for me for a moment; I’ll take you to the classroom! Comrade Fu, you can head back now." Zhao Qing checked the time, gathered her materials, and prepared to lead Lu Lin to class.

As Fu Xiaoxiao led Lu Chen away, the boy realized he was about to be separated from his brother. He pouted, holding back tears. "Don't cry. You can start school next year too," Fu Xiaoxiao comforted him, stroking his head.

"Really?" Lu Chen looked up at her, and seeing her nod, he wiped away his tears.

Just as they stepped out of the office, they heard Xu Linlin’s voice from inside. "I really don't understand why you’d take this student. The class is chaotic enough as it is! If we get another one who doesn't study hard, how are we supposed to manage?" Her words made Fu Xiaoxiao frown.

"Every child has the right to an education," Zhao Qing retorted softly. "If you don't like teaching, you can give this opportunity to someone else. I believe there are people better suited for this job than you."

"Don't act so high and mighty. Aren't you here only because you didn't want to work in the fields? Don't pretend you're better than anyone else," Xu Linlin sneered. "Don't think I don't know how you managed to get this position!"

"You..." Zhao Qing seemed genuinely angered.

Fu Xiaoxiao raised an eyebrow, suddenly feeling a bit regretful. A moment later, Xu Linlin threw the door open, shouting, "Push me too far and nobody will have a good time!"

Seeing Fu Xiaoxiao still standing by the door, she jumped and snapped, "Why haven't you left yet? Standing there like a ghost!"

"Does Teacher Xu live by the sea?" Fu Xiaoxiao asked calmly.

"What do you mean?" Xu Linlin asked, annoyed.

"You certainly have a wide reach, trying to dictate where I can stand," Fu Xiaoxiao replied coldly, taking Lu Chen’s hand and walking away.

"You! Hmph!" Xu Linlin stamped her foot in anger.

"Teacher Zhao, may I ask what time lunch is? I'll bring his meal over then," Fu Xiaoxiao said, looking past Xu Linlin to Zhao Qing.

"Class ends at 11:40, and afternoon class starts at 1:30." Zhao Qing smiled slightly, having heard Fu Xiaoxiao’s retort to Xu Linlin.

"Thank you, I’ll leave Lu Lin in your care." Fu Xiaoxiao then took out a prepared gift and handed it to Zhao Qing.

"This is..." Zhao Qing was stunned. Fu Xiaoxiao smiled and added, "It’s just some white sugar. Lu Lin is new here, so please look after him. He’s a clever boy; he’ll learn quickly."

With that, Fu Xiaoxiao took Lu Chen and left the school. Lu Lin watched their retreating figures, his mind filled with the sound of her saying, "My Lu Lin..."